Kezia Dugdale appointed new chair of LGBT+ charity Stonewall

The former Scottish Labour leader said she is “thrilled and honoured” at the appointment, which she will take up in September.

Ms Dugdale led the Scottish Labour Party from August 2017 to August 2019 and was an MSP for the Lothian region. Since leaving frontline politics she has worked as a director for the John Smith Centre, and is currently chairwoman of Shelter Scotland and associate director at the Centre for Public Policy.

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Her appointment comes after Ms Dugdale warned in 2024 that Scotland’s progress on LGBT+ rights was “fragile” and said she still checks her surroundings before holding her wife’s hand.

Ms Dugdale is married to SNP Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.

Stonewall recently revealed its corporate donations had more than halved in the last financial year, from £348,636 to £143,149. The drop has been linked to the impact of the US Government’s move to abolish diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Ms Dugdale said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be joining Stonewall at such a critical turning point in its story.

“Stonewall has been central to delivering so many rights that I have the privilege to enjoy.

“Yet there’s nothing inevitable about progress. There are too many stories both here and across the globe of rights being rolled back and progress being reversed for us to rest easy.”

She added: “Stonewall is fit for the future, ready to navigate these turbulent times, influence policy and create more safe and inclusive places for our community to feel safe and thrive in.

“We won’t stop until everyone, everywhere has equal rights.”

Stonewall said Ms Dugdale brings a wealth of experience in law-making and public policy.

Chief Executive Simon Blake said: “She has a deep commitment to public service and a long history of advocating for LGBT+ equality.

“Her skills and experience across academia, politics and welfare will be an asset to Stonewall as we deliver on our purpose to create a safe and equal world for LGBT+ people to live, work and thrive.”